Better roads in Union Township mean big noise complaints for one homeowner and his neighbors. For most people who live and work in the Eastgate area, the expansion of State Route 32 and improved access to Interstate 275 are big improvements over the way things were.

That patch of vegetation is gone, and State Route 32 has grown from four lanes to six, putting one side of Collins' house about 20 to 30 feet away from the busy road and an interstate on-ramp.

"Once they took away the barrier, there was just noise. Day and night, 24/7, all we hear is trucks and car tires and everything," Collins said. "We thought that there was going to be a wall prior to any of the major construction. And then the major construction looks like it's coming to a close, and we still don't have a wall."

According to an ODOT spokeswoman, only seven homes are affected by the particular stretch of redesigned roadway in question.

Building a wall would cost the state approximately $434,000 or $62,000 per home, which is above the state's threshold of $35,000 per residence.

Collins said he's been searching for answers, not only for himself but his neighbors as well, for the last two to three years without any luck.

"Nobody has contacted me directly. I've had to reach out to everyone, and everyone I reach out to claims that they're not responsible for it, but they'll talk to somebody that is (responsible), and I never get phone calls," Collins said.

All of which has left Collins with few options.

"Either find a way to mitigate the noise or just take my property and let me move on," Collins said.

John McGraw, the chair of Union Township's Board of Trustees, visited Collins recently and empathized with his plight.

McGraw said he thinks Collins should get some kind of relief and says he plans to press the state and county to see what can be done.